My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.

Study the Buddha's teaching which is present in every moment.

Zen is a way of life, not a theory or a piece of knowledge to be stored away in our minds.

Enlightenment is not the end of change but the end of resistance to change.

Both formerly and now, it is only suffering that I describe, and the cessation of suffering.

In my youth I studied, in my prime I practiced, now all my doubts are cleared.

Our task is to learn to see clearly what is happening in each moment, rather than be lost in our reactions and judgments.

Appearances are mind, mind itself is emptiness, emptiness itself is spontaneous presence.

Don't expect or desire anything. Just keep noting whatever arises in the present moment.

The essence of Buddhism is not a belief system but a systematic investigation of our experience.

Zen does not confuse spirituality with thinking about God while one is peeling potatoes. Zen spirituality is just to peel the potatoes.

The present moment is the only moment available to us, and it is the door to all moments.

The Buddha's teaching challenges us to master the art of living, to live in a way that leads to the extinction of suffering.

Real happiness lies within. It cannot be found in external objects or achievements.

The path to liberation requires both individual effort and the support of the spiritual community.

The mind is like a room with many windows. Open them all and let the fresh air in.

When mindfulness becomes continuous, the distinction between the observer and the observed begins to break down.

Drop by drop is the water pot filled. Likewise, the wise man, gathering it little by little, fills himself with good.

The practice of metta begins with oneself, for only when we have developed loving-kindness towards ourselves can we truly offer it to others.

The secret of happiness lies not in getting what we want, but in learning to want what we already have.

The ultimate source of a happy life is warm-heartedness. This means extending to others the kind of concern we have for ourselves.

If you truly loved yourself, you could never hurt another.

Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.

The more you are motivated by love, the more fearless and free your actions will be.

The purpose of meditation is not to create a new state of mind, but to recognize what is already present.

A man is not called wise because he talks and talks again; but if he is peaceful, loving and fearless then he is in truth called wise.

The nature of mind is clearer than the sky, yet we keep looking elsewhere.

To see directly is to be free of hope and fear. Hope and fear are like a cloud before the sun.

The path of awakening is not about becoming who you are. Rather it is about unbecoming who you are not.

The true hero is one who conquers his own anger and hatred.

Through our eyes, the universe is perceiving itself. Through our ears, the universe is listening to its harmonies. We are the witnesses through which the universe becomes conscious of its glory, of its magnificence.

Compassion is the radicalism of our time.

The willingness to empty ourselves and then seek our true nature is an expression of great and courageous love.